One Hidden Gem on Each Top 10 College Football Team in 2026

By now, the superstars are emerging for each college football contender in 2026. The household names are preparing to perform once again.

But there are also some unheralded dudes who could break out and be big-time playmakers, as well. You may not be talking about these guys. They may not be the ones you're going to circle right away.

They may just be players who ultimately will help make or break a championship run.

Using our very own Joel Reuter's way-too-early top 25 rankings for next year, we examined the top-10 teams on that list and identified a guy who is a bit unsung and warming up the ol' vocal chords to make some noise this fall.

Some are transfers. Others were injured and are forgotten about. In some cases, they're guys who have taken a back seat to stars but are either ready for a bigger role or poised to step into the spotlight.

Here are the hidden gems on each top-10 college football team you should know.

10. Oklahoma Sooners: Parker Livingstone, Wide Receiver

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You don't just transfer from Texas to Oklahoma. That's the equivalent of crossing enemy lines and playing traitor.

Yet, that's exactly what receiver Parker Livingstone did this offseason. It was even more surprising considering he was roommates and friends with Longhorns star signal-caller Arch Manning.

But Livingstone is indeed getting ready to suit up for the Sooners this fall, noting "culture" as a reason for heading to Norman, according to SI.com's Carson Field. He also said he was "happy to cross the Red River."

After catching 29 balls for 516 yards and six scores, the 6'4", pass-catcher isn't going to sneak up on anybody—definitely on Burnt Orange Nation. But while defenses may focus on Isaiah Sategna III, Livingstone is exactly the kind of receiver who can break open the offense for OU.

He's tall, experienced and was brought in to make a difference. Enough folks aren't talking about his instant-impact acumen.

9. Miami Hurricanes: Ahmad Moten Sr., Defensive Tackle

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Last year, Miami's defense was one of the nation's best, and it led the Hurricanes on a near-magical College Football Playoff run that ended just shy of a national title as runner-up to Indiana's juggernaut.

The strength of that loaded D was the line that was led by elite ends Rueben Bain Jr. and Ahkeem Mesidor. Now that they're gone to the NFL, rising senior interior lineman Ahmad Moten Sr., will step into the spotlight. 

The 6'3", 325-pound line-plugging force is a terrific interior rusher, and after a season where he finished with 31 tackles and 4.5 sacks, his return was massive for a Miami team that still has plenty of pieces to bring a natty to Coral Gables.

They added guys like Damon Wilson along the front, but teams won't be able to help but add extra attention on Moten. The defensive tackles are all guts and get very little glory, but Moten is one of the nation's best and could really become a force this season and ride it to a big NFL payday.

8. Texas A&M Aggies: Ashton Bethel-Roman, Wide Receiver

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A season ago as Texas A&M ran roughshod through an undefeated start that finished with a bit of a clunker in a regular season-ending loss to Texas followed by a first-round playoff exit against Miami, the Aggies found stars everywhere on both sides of the ball.

Coach Mike Elko relied on steady veteran pass-catcher KC Concepcion to lead the way, and Mario Craver stepped up as a big-play weapon for Marcel Reed Jr. as the Aggies just kept on winning.

With Concepcion off to the NFL, though, Craver needs a sidekick. It's easy to forget about Ashton Bethel-Roman, but the 6'0", 185-pound freshman had a terrific first year in College Station. He was one of the most productive first-year players in the nation.

Bethel-Roman finished the year third on the team with 24 catches for 503 yards and five touchdowns, and the Missouri City, Texas, receiver could be a force this season. He isn't talked about nearly enough, but he's a breakout candidate.

Reed is going to be much better another year into the system, and Bethel-Roman has the opportunity to grow into a star right along with him.

7. Texas Tech Red Raiders: Brice Pollock, Cornerback

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As many terrific players as Joey McGuire gets through the transfer portal and who has developed at Texas Tech, it's easy to get lost in the shuffle.

Last year, Jacob Rodriguez, Ben Roberts, Lee Hunter Jr., David Bailey and crew led a unit that was extremely difficult to score on. Most of those guys are gone, but Roberts will return, and it was also very good news for Red Raiders fans to get cornerback Brice Pollock back, too.

You may not know much about Pollock, but he quietly had an All-American season a year ago with 48 tackles, seven passes defended and five interceptions. He was a terrific coverage guy and was also great in open-field tackling.

Maybe it's not fair to say he's "hidden" considering he was a first-team All-Big 12 selection a season ago and led the league in interceptions, but I don't think he's discussed enough. Again, this offseason, all the buzz is about who the Red Raiders added through the portal.

Their biggest weapon on the defensive side of the ball may well be a player they've got returning from last year after he originally began his career at Mississippi State.

6. Notre Dame Fighting Irish: Jaden Greathouse, Wide Receiver

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Notre Dame almost made the College Football Playoff a season ago without one of its biggest stars that missed virtually the entire season.

The 2025 season was supposed to be a breakout junior campaign for Jaden Greathouse, who closed his sophomore season as one of the biggest noise-makers in the Fighting Irish's College Football Playoff run, finishing with 13 catches for 233 yards and three touchdowns in the Orange Bowl and national title game.

A severe hamstring injury suffered last year led to a campaign where he had just four catches for 73 yards. While CJ Carr flung the ball around all over the field and the running back tandem of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price showed out, Greathouse watched.

Now, he's back, and the Irish have one of the biggest sleeper wide receiving rooms in the nation with a lot of untapped talent. Greathouse may be one of the best of them all, and he's already shown he can do it on the biggest stages.

You aren't thinking about Greathouse, but you should be.

5. Oregon Ducks: Dierre Hill Jr., Running Back

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It's easy for Dierre Hill Jr. to get overshadowed. He isn't even the most productive player at his position on his own team.

But you'd better not sleep on Hill's immense potential. He's a game-breaking force that we believe could have an even bigger sophomore season than star breakout sophomore Jordon Davison.

Regardless who has the better season, the friends and classmates should lead an Oregon offensive backfield that not enough folks are talking about. 

A season ago, Davison finished with 667 rushing yards and averaged 5.9 yards per carry, second on the team in yardage behind Noah Whittington. Hill piled up 656 yards but averaged a whopping 8.7 yards per carry.

Davison was more of an every-down back, leading the Ducks runners with 15 scores to Hill's five, but the latter is the home-run hitter. Oregon's running back depth took a hit at the wrong time a season ago in the playoffs, but this year, they should be deeper.

The talent is never in question. And Hill may just be the most exciting of the bunch.

4. Texas Longhorns: Lance Jackson, Linebacker/Defensive End

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Every year, it seems, the Texas Longhorns have a former top-rated defensive player emerge as one of the nation's top defenders.

Three years ago, it was Anthony Hill Jr. and Malik Muhammad. A couple of seasons back, it was Colin Simmons. Last year, Graceson Littleton became a star. This season, get ready for sophomore linebacker Lance Jackson to break out.

According to MSN's Aaron Raley, new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp has told Jackson he has big things in store for him. He wanted him to bulk up to 270-275 pounds, and the Longhorns expect Jackson to be able to do a lot of things at that weight.

"I'll play everywhere," Jackson told Raley. "I could be dropping, but I can also be pass-rushing from the three-tech. So, it's really just gonna be very versatile this year and also just getting caught up and stuff. I'm gonna be doing a lot of different stuff."

A season ago, Jackson was a situational player as a true freshman, but a bigger role is in store. Stardom could follow. You may not be thinking of Jackson as one of Texas' top defenders, but he has the ability to be.

3. Indiana Hoosiers: Khobie Martin, Running Back

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Several times this spring, Indiana coach Curt Cignetti has alluded to new quarterback Josh Hoover playing extremely well because of the great running game and defense around him.

That certainly doesn't sound like the defending national champion coach expects much of a dropoff from the Hoosiers after losing a ton of talent from last year's unbeaten title winners.

One of the spots IU is having to reload is at running back with Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black out of eligibility. But there are capable playmakers ready to step in. Turbo Richard's transfer from Boston College was a big deal, and if Lee Beebe Jr. can return fully healthy, he flashed in the first three games of '25 before an ACL injury ended his season.

Don't forget about sophomore Khobie Martin, though. A season ago as a freshman, the 6'0", 207-pound runner ran 78 times for 505 yards and six touchdowns, running for 100-yard games in blowout wins over Indiana State and Illinois.

Now that he'll get consistent carries in what should be a three- or four-back rotation, he's going to do big things.

2. Georgia Bulldogs: Demello Jones, Cornerback

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You can always count on the Georgia Bulldogs having dynamic defensive backs, and no matter who they lose to the NFL, there are always others ready to step in.

Last year, Demello Jones answered the call, helping shut down opponents' passing game, especially downfield. Ellis Robinson IV gets many of the headlines because he was a former top-ranked recruit who is living up to expectations, but don't discount Jones.

He may be UGA's most underrated defensive back in a group that includes Robinson and KJ Bolden.

A season ago, the 6'0", 185-pound cornerback had 24 tackles and five passes defended. He didn't have any explosive turnovers, but he was a steadying force. With Daylen Everette gone to the pros, Jones is going to have an increased role.

This is his junior season, and that's about the time that a Dawg has a huge season from seemingly out of nowhere. That wouldn't be the case for Jones, who already has played a defensive role.

But he could go from steady defender to breakout star in 2026.

1. Ohio State Buckeyes: Hunter Welcing, Tight End

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A season ago, Max Klare transferred from a Big Ten rival (Purdue) to Columbus to try to play for a national championship with the Ohio State Buckeyes and enjoyed a great season that boosted his NFL stock.

This time, it's Hunter Welcing's turn.

The Buckeyes snagged the former Northwestern pass-catcher, who is expected to slide into Klare's role and play a pivotal part of Ohio State's next title run. Last year, Klare finished his final season with 43 catches for 448 yards and a couple of touchdowns. 

Welcing had 28 grabs for 296 yards and a couple of scores for a Wildcats offense that sputtered along at times. But the 6'3", 250-pound redshirt senior is a do-it-all player who is physical enough to play in-line or to occasionally exploit mismatches on the perimeter.

Welcing showed a propensity to be a strong run blocker and pass-protector for the Wildcats, and having the experience in the rugged Big Ten will make him a valuable addition.

The Buckeyes had to replenish that room with Klare gone, Will Kacmarek exhausting his eligibility and Jelani Thurman transferring to North Carolina. Welcing is the perfect player to do what Ohio State needs at the position.